Matthew 4: First Steps (6)
Pray Psalm 115.1-3.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
Sing joyfully Psalm 115.1-3.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, Lord, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Read Matthew 4.1-25; meditate on verses 24, 25.
What do you see in your mind’s eye as you meditate?
Prepare.
1. What does Matthew mean by Jesus’ “fame”? How does His fame spread today?
2. What was the result of Jesus’ faithful ministry in His Personal Mission Field?
Meditate.
Sick people, crippled people, people who were frightened, people who had no hope—desperate people of all sorts flocked in great numbers to the faithful witness of good works and true words. They came by their own strength or were brought by friends. And when they came to where Jesus was, He did not disappoint: “He healed them.”
People from Syria, Decapolis (the ten cities east of the Jordan between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea), and “beyond the Jordan” among the Gentiles—people from all over came to Jesus. He received them, spoke Good News to them, and healed their diseases. He shows us the power of a faithful witness.
No wonder “the fame” of Jesus spread rapidly throughout that region. People are made to know and enjoy God and His goodness. Sin has blighted the souls and lives of all people, even those who are not aware of it. Jesus came to restore the world to that good and upright condition in which God made it (Gen. 1.31; Eccl. 7.29; Jn. 3.16; 2 Cor. 5.17-21), and when people realized this, they flocked to Him in great multitudes.
What opportunities for doing good works and speaking true words are before us today? How can we cause the fame of Jesus and the Good News of His Kingdom to come to the attention of the people we know? We may realistically expect that, if we bring our work in our own Personal Mission Fields into line with what Jesus did in His, dramatic and positive and God-honoring results will ensue. Lead with love and good works, then follow with the explaining the reason: Jesus.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Jesus healed all the sick people of all their diseases—both physical and mental.
Jesus did not have two waiting lines:
Stand here if you are a synagogue attender; and
you stand there if you are not.
All the diseases and all the people are pretty self-explanatory.
We are not left to wonder if this person was good, or was that one religious, or was this one wealthy, or did that one have lots of friends? Were they influencers? Was this one well-dressed? Or was that one clean and attractive? Which one, do you think, has potential as a big donor?
Jesus asked none of those questions.
Jesus cared for all and healed all. Regardless.
Jesus’ love encompassed all of them—sans the questionnaire.
Jesus, as God, had a heart to save them all (Jn. 3.16; 2 Pet. 3.9), and make their lives more tenable in the process.
That must be our goal as well.
To love all, share the Gospel with all, and meet the physical and emotional needs of all. Regardless.
“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great;
and you shall be a blessing” (Gen. 12.2; 1 Pet. 2.9, 10).
“I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing” (Ezek. 34.26).
“And it shall come to pass that just as you were a curse among the nations…so I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, let your hands be strong” (Zech. 8.13).
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…” (Eph. 1.3).
And why has He done this for us?
So we will be a blessing, like Jesus, to others. To all for all.
Out in the highways and byways of life, Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, Making the sorrowing glad…
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love, Tell of His power to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove True every moment you live…
Give as ’twas given to you in your need, Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed, Unto your mission be true…
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray
Make me a blessing to someone today.
(Ira B. Wilson, 1924)
Reflect.
1. What does “blessed to be a blessing” mean for you in your Personal Mission Field?
2. Should we expect people to be drawn to us because we are like Jesus? Explain.
3. How should you prepare each day for bringing Jesus to the people you meet?
Since as then “his fame went out into Syria,” so now into the whole world. And they indeed ran together when they heard that he healed demon-possessed people. And you, after having much more and greater experience of his power, do you not rouse yourself and run? John Chrysostom (344-407), The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 14.3
Pray Psalm 115.9-18.
Pray that God will show you how the fame of Jesus can be advanced in your Personal Mission Field today.
Sing Psalm 115.9-18.
Psalm 115.9-18 (Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield—ever to His Name be glory—
find in Him their help and shield: Ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the LORD! He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Blessings from our gracious LORD—ever to Your Name be glory—
will attend us evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, LORD, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Grant us, Savior, great increase—ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast continues readings from If Men Will Pray. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a study of the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column is studying the Church and why it matters so much. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
